Fisher signs with EIU for rugby, track

Friday

Apr 19, 2013 at 7:55 PMApr 19, 2013 at 7:58 PM

Wethersfield senior signs letter of intent Friday

Mike Landis

Wethersfield’s Sara Fisher is no stranger to track and field success at Eastern Illinois University.She’s qualified for the Class 1A state track and field meet — hosted by EIU in Charleston — three consecutive years and won seven medals in hurdle and relay events.Fisher will continue her track career at Eastern, but also will tackle a new sport this fall for the Lady Panthers — rugby.“I e-mailed the coach and asked if he had the right person,” said Fisher of the rugby offer from Eastern.Coach Frank Graziano assured Fisher they were interested in her playing rugby at Eastern, so the WHS senior signed on the dotted line with the Panthers Friday afternoon.“I mostly did sign for rugby,” said Fisher.Fisher admits the sport will be a brand new athletic experience.“It’s kind of like football, but it’s not. I’m kind of scared, but I’m excited at the same time,” said Fisher.Coach Graziano sent Fisher a lengthy packet on rugby in October, and she visited campus in November and met members of the EIU rugby team.“They’re very successful, but I was very shocked,” said Fisher of the rugby scholarship. “I didn’t even really know what it was.”She started researching the sport and said it “seems interesting.” Her preparation for collegiate rugby features plenty of work in the weight room.“I’m not very big,” Fisher said. “Coach said I’d mostly be running with the ball.”Rugby is a fall season on the collegiate level. Fisher said she moves in Aug. 10 at EIU and starts rugby camp, with the schedule running from September through November.Once that sport is complete, Fisher jumps to indoor track season. She figures to run the 400 hurdles for the EIU track team, along with the 100 hurdles and possibly a relay.“They say it’s good for track,” said Fisher of rugby. “It keep your legs healthy because you’re running on grass all the time.”She said several athletes compete in both rugby and track at EIU. There are two area athletes on the EIU rugby roster — Madison Kissner of Sherrard and Kelsey Jackson of ROWVA.